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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| February 18, 2005 |
Global University Unit 1 – Wars in Asia: Past, Present, and Future |
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| Open sharing of ideas is one of the keystones of Peace Boat’s Global University (GU) programme. |
One way Peace Boat shows it’s commitment to education for peace and sustainability is through the onboard Global University (GU), an intensive peace studies programme. The GU programme is open to all Peace Boat participants, regardless of age or educational level, and encourages students to deeply consider major problems the world is facing, as well as possible solutions. |
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| Akira Kawasaki, GU coordinator, listens in class. |
After more than two weeks of intensive study, guest lectures, and travel, the 48th voyage’s GU completed its first of four units, “Wars in Asia: Past, Present and Future”. This unit was structured in a way that first allowed students to learn about Japan’s true role in World War II, then moved forward in time, with today’s “War on Terror” being one of the focuses. Students were encouraged to find similarities between the two wars and discuss ways to overcome these problems.
“GU emphasizes a methodology that includes mutual discussion among students – we believe it is very important to speak very honestly and frankly about what we really feel or think. I think this is our uniqueness.” Akira Kawasaki, GU coordinator, explained. “In particular, in many of the Japanese, and even some Asian universities, the typical methodology is very top-down and professor-centered. There is too much focus on the quantity of knowledge and information. I think Peace Boat provides a very unique venue, where we can discuss various issues with a very direct experience. We can very easily learn about the cultural differences, both on board and in ports.” |
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| GU students participate in an exchange programme with students from Nanking Normal University in China. |
A vital part of the GU programme is hands-on learning, which students undertake as a part of exposure tours. In Shanghai, the 48th voyage’s first port of call, students traveled to Nanking to hear survivors’ experiences of the Nanking Massacre and participated in an exchange programme with students from Nanking Normal University.
“After returning to the ship, I realized there are a lot more Japanese people who do not recognize the Nanking Massacre than I had imagined.” Naoko Tomozoe, a GU student, shared after the tour. “That made me realize that it is important for me to spread what I saw, heard, and felt in Nanking. I hope to be able to fully digest my experience in Nanking and share it in future.” |
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| Students rehearse for a presentation in which they act out the roles of the United Nations, Japan, Iraq, and the United States (left to right). |
As a closing event for Unit One, students offered presentations on the theme “In Order to Realize an Asia without War” to Peace Boat participants. Students spoke on four topics related to what they have learned and experienced thus far. These presentations, “Efforts to Overcome the Past,” ”How to Cooperate in the East Asian Region, ”The Relationship between Asian Countries and the United States”, and “Proposals for Media and Education”, introduced students’ ideas about what they have learned, as well as recommendations for future actions to insure a peaceful future. |
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